Yoga has become increasingly popular in recent years, and its benefits are now being recognized by parents and professionals alike. When it comes to children with autism, yoga can be an invaluable tool in helping them to manage their behavior and emotions. Research has shown that yoga can help to reduce stress, improve focus and concentration, and promote self-regulation and self-awareness.
One of the major benefits of yoga in children with autism is its ability to promote sensory integration. Through the use of different poses and breathing exercises, children can become more aware of their bodies and environment, and better able to control their movements and reactions. This can help to provide a sense of comfort and control and reduce anxiety in stressful and overwhelming situations.
Yoga can also provide children on the spectrum with a sense of accomplishment and success. By providing them with a safe and supportive environment and a set of achievable goals, children can begin to develop a sense of pride in their individual achievements. This can help them to become more confident and self-assured.
Finally, practicing yoga can help to increase communication, social, and motor skills in children with autism. Through the use of different poses and activities, they can learn to interact more effectively, express their emotions, and develop better coordination and body awareness.
In summary, yoga can provide many benefits to children, including improved sensory integration, increased confidence, and improved communication, social and motor skills. With the right guidance and support, yoga can be a valuable tool in helping children with autism to manage their behavior and emotions.
If you are interested in learning more about yoga in children, especially children with special needs, I can 100% recommend you start with this book.
Asanas for Autism and Special Needs: Yoga to Help Children with Their Emotions, Self-Regulation, and Body Awareness by Shawnee Thornton Hardy, is a great book, and as someone who has personally met the author and has been trained by her, I can definitely guarantee of the success and affect it has had in so many children around the world.
If you are already practicing yoga with children and need some extra help with the visuals, I can recommend these Yoga poses cards from my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
You can either print them or even use them digitally for your online classes.
Find them here.
Antiochou-Plexida Konstantina, SLP